System with electrolytic cell and method for producing heat and reducing radioactivity of a radioactive material by electrolysis

An electrolytic cell for producing heat and for reducing radioactivity of a radioactive material by electrolysis in an aqueous media comprising:

• a non-conductive housing;
• a plurality of conductive beads each including:
• a non-conductive core;
• a radioactive metallic actinide combined with, and forming a conductive surface over said non-conductive core;
• a first conductive porous grid means in electrical communication with said plurality of conductive beads;
• a second conductive porous grid means electrically spaced from said plurality of conductive beads which is positioned closer to said outlet than said first conductive grid means.

A method of producing heat and reducing radioactivity of a radioactive material by electrolysis in an aqueous media comprising the steps of:

• A. providing an electrolytic cell including:
• a non-conductive housing and an inlet and an outlet;
• a first conductive porous grid positioned within said housing adjacent to said inlet;
• a second conductive porous grid positioned within said housing spaced from said first conductive grid and adjacent to said outlet;
• a plurality of conductive beads each including:
• a non-conductive core;
• a radioactive metallic actinide combined with, and forming a conductive surface over said non-conductive core;
• B. circulating said aqueous media through said electrolytic cell;
• C. passing an electrical current between said first and second grids when said aqueous media is circulating within said electrolytic cell;
• D. removing heat from said aqueous media for use external to and separate from said electrolytic cell after said aqueous media exits said electrolytic cell through said outlet;
• E. continuing to operate said cell in accordance with steps A, B, C, D until the radioactivity of said radioactive material is reduced.

A system for reducing radioactivity of a radioactive material by electrolysis in a liquid electrolyte, comprising:

• an electrolytic cell including a non-conductive housing and an inlet and an outlet;
• a plurality of conductive beads each including:
• a non-conductive core;
• said radioactive material forming a conductive surface over said non-conductive core;
• first conductive porous grid means in electrical communication with said plurality of conductive beads;
• a second conductive porous grid means electrically spaced from said plurality of conductive beads and which is positioned doser to said outlet than said first conductive grid means;
• means for pumping said liquid electrolyte through said electrolytic cell, said liquid electrolyte including a conductive salt in solution with water;
• means for applying an electric current between said first and second conductive grid means.

An electrolytic cell for reducing radioactivity of a radioactive material by electrolysis in an aqueous media comprising:

• a non-conductive housing;
• a plurality of conductive beads each including:
• a non-conductive core;
• a conductive surface formed over said non-conductive core formed of said radioactive material;
• a first conductive porous grid means in electrical communication with said plurality of conductive beads;
• a second conductive porous grid means electrically spaced from said plurality of conductive beads which is positioned closer to said outlet than said first conductive grid means.

A method of reducing radioactivity of a radioactive material by electrolysis in an aqueous media comprising the steps of:

• A. providing an electrolytic cell including:
• a non-conductive housing and an inlet and an outlet;
• a first conductive porous grid positioned within said housing adjacent to said inlet;
• a second conductive porous grid positioned within said housing spaced from said first conductive grid and adjacent to said outlet;
• a plurality of conductive beads each including:
• a non-conductive core;
• a radioactive metallic actinide combined with, and forming a conductive surface over said non-conductive core;
• B. circulating said aqueous media through said electrolytic cell;
• C. passing an electrical current between said first and second grids when said aqueous media is circulating within said electrolytic cell;
• D. continuing to operate said cell in accordance with steps A, B, C until the radioactivity of said radioactive material is reduced.